On the morning of Sept. 3, 2026, 80-plus offenders refused to switch into their cells and instead stopped two staff members from leaving a high-risk living unit at the Minnesota Correctional Facility - Stillwater. What followed was about 6 hours of face-to-face negotiations that resulted in a peaceful resolution. The entire Emergency Response Team strategized, planned, and implemented corrective action that led to the peaceful resolution.

This presentation will feature a dynamic timeline of the incident, brought to life through visuals and audio elements. Key lessons learned from both the tactical operations and negotiation strategies will be presented, offering actionable insights into how the team responds under pressure in a correctional facility.

This incident highlights the distinct considerations involved in negotiating inside correctional facilities compared to negotiations in the community. These include resource allocation, the need to contain the incident quickly, navigating a multilayered command structure, and engaging with individuals you will continue to supervise afterward. Negotiation in a correctional setting is unique because, as in this situation, it often begins with a large and volatile population. The challenge lies in sorting through the chaos and identifying the key individuals who can influence change. This environment also underscores the importance of everyday interactions and how they build rapport.

Key Points of Presentation

MN DOC ERT: Special Operations Response Team, Special Operations Group
Marksman Observers, Crisis Negotiations Teams
CNT Specifics and numbers
MN DOC Activation Chart and flow of information
Audio of initial radio call and Critical Moment Media Release audio

Command/ Team Response
Physical Obstacles with setting or Negotiations Operations Center (NOC) and Tactical Operations Center (TOC)
Video of events and movement leading up to the crisis incident. And during release of hostages.
Face to face negotiations with a unit of 100+ offenders
Working with our tactical teams

CNT Takeaways and Timeline of events

Positive Factors Actionable steps to improve communication and response across all levels of the organization, from the Commissioner's office to facility supervisors and the line staff working directly with the incarcerated population